GAUCÍN’S MAYOR FINALLY QUITSBy David Eade – Costa del Sol News
Gaucín’s Partido Popular mayor, Francisco Ruíz, finally resigned on Monday. He stood down for “personal reasons” but it was four months after he last announced he was quitting his post. He explained the delay on his wanting to leave everything in order and to have sold the annual cork harvest which boosts the town hall’s coffers.
There are four Partido Andalucista councillors with three PSOE and two PP on the council. After the last elections PSOE and the PP formed a pact with socialist Teodoro de Molina becoming mayor. This was to keep the PA out of power as its members were embroiled in corruption allegations.
In the event the PP later left the coalition and then Francisco Ruíz broke ranks with his party and agreed to be mayor with the discredited PA backing him. This arrangement continued to it was claimed Ruíz had disappeared earlier this year leading to his resignation.
So now Gaucín will have its third mayor since the last elections. PSOE have blasted the PP for leaving the municipality in chaos with the breaking of the pact then the resignation of Ruíz. The socialist secretary of organization in Málaga and in charge of PSOE communications in Andalucía, Francisco Conejo, said the PP had also pacted with three PA councillors who have been charged with town planning offences. It now remains to be seen what new administration will take control of the virtually bankrupt town hall.
TEN ARRESTED IN RONDA COCAINE BUST
The National Police in Ronda have broken up an organised gang dedicated to the trafficking of drugs. In a statement the Málaga HQ said ten people had been detained aged between 24 and 44 years.
Investigations started in July and spread over the intervening months as officers monitored the activities of the gang and identified those involved - residents of the Ronda area and Sevilla.
One of those charged was responsible for bringing the drugs from Madrid to Sevilla and from there it was divided in to smaller consignments for distribution amongst local traffickers.
The operation, code named Basilón, was divided in to three phases. The first was to identify then arrest the ten people involved. The second was to move in and dismantle the organisation that ran three points of sale from their homes and thirdly to seize 250 grams of cocaine, 3,000 euros in cash, four vehicles and the equipment for marketing the drugs.
Five of those involved have been jailed awaiting trial. The others have been released on bail. The National Police say the gang was one of the most important in drug trafficking in the town.
TWO SCHOOLS
Time will tell whether two is better than one. First Apymer, the small and medium business association, recently announced Ronda’s first hotel school in the Casino where classes are already being marketed. Now the town hall is following suite and says it will convert the Mueble Rondeño building, which has been sitting empty, to also offer professional training to the tourism sector.
PISTOL THREAT
The National Police in Ronda have arrested a 42 year old man in the calle Almería at 13.00 on Saturday. He is alleged to have threatened his wife with a 9 mm pistol which he held legally. It is said they couple were having a furious argument when he drew the gun on her and she fled to seek shelter with a neighbour.
LOTTERY THIEVES
The gang is known as the lottery thieves as when they raid a premises they also make off with all the lottery tickets. They have been targeting premises on Ronda’s El Fuerte industrial estate. The latest victims were a metal workshop and a drinks distributor. They also stole 8,400 euros in cash. Police say they are investigating but the thieves leave few clues.
YOU’VE FORGOTTEN
The Partido Popular in Ronda has accused the PSOE – non aligned coalition of forgetting the various districts of the town. They accuse them of leaving roads and pavements unrepaired and the public parks - play areas in a poor state. The park of Cruz de San Jorge was one mentioned which is full of rubbish, items have been stolen and the children’s playground destroyed.
NO DRIPS
Ronda’s councillor for culture, Pepa Becerra, has announced a 50,000 euros scheme to repair the roofing of the former Santo Domingo convent which is now a conference centre. Particularly vulnerable is the ancient church and last winter rain penetrated the roof causing damage to the interior. The Mudéjar section of the church is also to be restored in an ambitious 217,000 euros project.
OIL HARVEST
It is estimated the Serranía de Ronda will this year produce enough olives to press in to five million litres of oil. The co-operative has revealed that the growers will harvest around 20 million kilos of olives, the same as last year. The fruit is said to be of the highest quality and the process of producing the oil will start in November.
WE’RE LEAVING
Arriate has announced it is leaving the consortium of town halls of the Serranía de Ronda comprising of 20 municipalities including the Genal and Guadiario valleys. Explaining the move the deputy mayor Salvador Cabrera said the majority of the services offered by the consortium were already available through Arriate’s town hall. He added they could return in the future if the situation changed.
